Clean Christian Comedian and Speaker

In the news

United Methodist Church Global Web Site Feature
September 1st, 2007
Kelly was recently honored by the global United
Methodist Church as one of their "ministries of the month" for the month of September.

The Sun Newspaper (Overland Park, KS)
April 19, 2007
Religion Notes

Imago Dei Sets Awards Banquet

Imago Dei, Friends of Christianity and the Arts, holds the Sacred Arts Awards Banquet from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 27 at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 67th Street and Nall Avenue, Mission.

Honorees include Bill Tammeus, The Kansas City Star, Literary Artrist of the Year, Kelly Sisney, Performing Artist of the Year, and J. Phillips Cox-Johnson, Visual Artist of the Year.

The Johnson County Sun, (KS)
December 1, 2005

The Kansas City Star, (MO)
July 16, 2005
What's funny about faith?

Performer uses humor to add perspective to Christian Faith
Author: LINDA CRUSE

The words Christian and comedy aren't often combined, but an Overland Park woman is changing that.

Kelly Sisney is a Christian comedienne who routinely discusses topics such as communion, baptism, Bible study and prayer in her stand-up routines.

Performing before audiences of thousands across the United States , Sisney's brand of humor involves telling stories of the day-to-day lives of Christians and putting a new spin on familiar Bible stories.

In just three years, the Overland Park resident has performed for pastors groups, churches, youth groups, women's groups and corporations throughout the nation. Recently, she headlined a Comedy Night at United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood with national comedian Al Fike.

Sisney is a member of the church, where she routinely performs. The Rev. Pam Harris, minister of health at the church, said “Sisney's performances are unique.”

“You never knew that church could be so funny”, she said. “She takes things we've all experienced in church and reverently and irreverently describes them in such a way that's really funny.”

Sisney graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in psychology. She didn't plan to become a comedian.

“People kept telling me I was funny and that I should become a comedian, but I really resisted, she said. I just wasn't sure I was funny enough to do stand up comedy.”

Sisney started small, speaking to women's groups and small gatherings. Then, the Rev. Adam Hamilton, senior pastor at the Church of the Resurrection, asked her to speak to 500 pastors from across the country.

Her performance was so successful that she received requests for performances throughout the country.

“It's all been by word of mouth”, she said. “I think people really want to see you first before asking you to come to their church or organization.”

Now Sisney is featured on a Web site www.kellysisneycomedy.com and is working on developing a DVD and book.

“I'm taking my comedy career to the next level,” she said. “I'm ready to take that next step.”

Sisney's overall message is titled “Humor for the Soul”. Using real life stories, she provides a fresh look at things Christians struggle with every day. Topics are designed to be relevant to all Christian denominations.

“It's humor with a message,” she said. “I tie everything up at the end with a positive message about being a Christian in today's world.”

Sisney can tailor her performances to various groups. Her topics address volunteering, unmasking the leader inside, Christianity isn't for wimps, youth and small groups and others.

“I've spoken to men and women of all ages as well as teens and elementary school students,” she said. “I design my message to meet the needs of a particular audience.”

While many national comedians use foul language, R-rated stories and criticize members of the audience, Sisney's brand of comedy falls under the category of clean comedy.

“But I go beyond that and include a lot of material about Christian living”, she said. “Some clean comedians just tell stories that are free of bad words or sexual connotations. I actually address Christian topics.”

Sisney credited the Church of the Resurrection with much of her success.

“The church has encouraged me and provided me with the opportunity to perform before crowds of people”, she said. “Between the church and my husband, David, I have had a great deal of support.”

LUKE DAVIS/Special to The Star

Kelly Sisney, a Christian comedian, recently performed at her Leawood church, Church of the Resurection.

Copyright 2005 The Kansas City Star Co.
Record Number: 1700107